82R7844 TJS-D
By: Taylor of Galveston H.B. No. 1950
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the continuation and operation of the office of public
insurance counsel.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 501.003, Insurance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 501.003. SUNSET PROVISION. The office is subject to
Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued
in existence as provided by that chapter, the office is abolished
September 1, 2023 [2011].
SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 501, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 501.160 to read as follows:
Sec. 501.160. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES.
(a) The office shall develop and implement a policy to encourage
the use of appropriate alternative dispute resolution procedures
under Chapter 2009, Government Code, to assist in the resolution of
internal and external disputes under the office's jurisdiction.
(b) The office's procedures relating to alternative dispute
resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to model
guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative Hearings
for the use of alternative dispute resolution procedures by state
agencies.
(c) The office shall:
(1) coordinate the implementation of the policy
adopted under Subsection (a);
(2) provide training as needed to implement the
procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative dispute
resolution; and
(3) collect data concerning the effectiveness of those
procedures.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.